Kia is showing up with an actual fleet of fantasy cars this week in Las Vegas for the 2018 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show — the aftermarket-parts fiesta better known as SEMA — but it's also showing off a tasty one that'll be showing up next summer at a dealer near you: the 2020 Kia Forte GT.
2019 Kia Forte Specs & Reviews
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Based on the redesigned 2019 Forte compact sedan that has hints of the Stinger in its new looks, the Forte GT also will add a taste of actual sports sedan performance. It follows in the steps (if not filling the shoes) of the big-dog Stinger GT models.
The GT performance Forte will offer two packages, and the upgrades over the nice-looking-but-tame regular Forte include a 201-horsepower, turbocharged 1.6-liter engine; fully independent front and rear suspension; and suitably "growling sport-tuned exhaust." The power will be routed through a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and you can put it down on the pavement with optional Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires on 18-inch GT-exclusive alloy wheels.
If this package sounds familiar, you already may know it from the corporate sibling Hyundai Elantra Sport that rolled out as a 2017 model. The latest version, based on the refreshed-for-2019 Elantra, is due at dealers later this year.
In addition to the mechanical upgrades, the Forte GT also includes LED headlights, foglights, a black grille with red highlights, gloss-black side-mirror caps, sportier lower body trim and a rear spoiler. Inside will be alloy pedals, a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel and paddle shifters with the automatic. Available features include bolstered "Sofino" sport seats with contrast piping in place of the standard cloth and stitched sport seats, Harman Kardon premium audio, a moonroof with LED overhead lighting and LED ambient lighting with an illuminated GT dash inlay.
A suite of safety and driver assist technology, including a front collision system with automatic braking, also is standard.
Along with the Forte GT at SEMA, Kia is also is showing everything from a Stinger cop car to a tricked-out K900 luxury barge. Also on the roster are five show-car versions of the Telluride SUV concept (a production model of the big new SUV is due for unveiling in January), two more custom Fortes and a custom Stinger GT. Check these others out in the gallery below.
Kia's SEMA Show Cars; Manufacturer images
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